Sông Hoài (Hoai River)
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| The river bank of the Hoai River which runs across Hoi An City's center. Photo: Thanh Tung |
Once-busy port city now tourist attraction
The Hoai River, which flows through the center of the ancient city of Hoi An in central Vietnam, used to be the waterway leading to a bustling port city during late 16th century and the 17th century. At the time, Chinese and Japanese traders helped turn a local riparian area into a hub of foreign trade in Vietnam. However, as of the mid-19th century, both Hoi An and the Hoai River began to lose their glory due to alluvial deposits, the close-door policy of the Nguyen Dynasty and the French-built Danang Port in the proximity.
The Hoai River, however, retains its beauty and is one of the must-see scenic spots in the ancient city.